Hibernians 2
Failla 9; Kardeck 51;
Sliema Wanderers 1
Woods 20;

Hibernians put their title challenge back on track with a hard-fought victory over Sliema Wanderers that pushed them within touching distance of the Premier League summit.

Still reeling from the previous week’s disappointing 4-1 defeat to champions Valletta, Michael Woods expected a strong response from his charges and the Hibs mentor was duly served as the Paolites blasted off the blocks firing on all cyclinders and taking an early lead.

Sliema were quick, however, to give their opponents a timely reminder of their threat and soon got themselves back in the reckoning with a fine strike from the evergreen Ivan Woods.

But yesterday Hibs were determined not to drop precious points and continued to pile up the pressure. Their stance was rewarded when Allan Kardeck grabbed the all-important winner early in the second half that lifted the team past Birkirkara and just one point behind leaders Valletta.

Coach Woods was boosted by the return of striker Marcelo Dias who missed the previous match due to suspension but his compatriot, Rodolfo Soares, was forced to sit out to serve suspension.

Young Johann Bezzina, scorer of a fine consolation goal against Valletta, was rewarded with a starting berth as striker Jean Paul Farrugia had to be content with a place on the bench.

Sliema coach Alfonso Greco handed new signing Shaun Bajada his full debut after the Gozitan midfielder completed his loan move from Valletta in midweek.

Glenn Zammit retained his place in the Sliema goal with regular keeper Henry Bonello still out injured. Italian striker Luigi Ruggiero was ruled out by suspension.

Hibs had a dream start as after only nine minutes they took the lead.

The Paolites were awarded a free-kick on the right and Jackson Lima delivered an inviting ball inside the area where Clayton Failla found space to head the ball past Zammit.

Sliema hit back strongly though and drew level on 20 minutes from another set piece situation.

This time referee Mario Apap awarded a central free-kick to the Blues from which Ivan Woods saw his firm drive taking a deflection off the Hibs defensive wall and into the net past stranded goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Stung by the setback Hibs took a few minutes to start pushing forward again.

When they did, Dias broke free on the wing before sending a dangerous low ball in the area but Andrew Cohen and Kardeck both failed to make contact before the Wanderers defence cleared.

The match remained evenly balanced with both sides battling hard to take control in midfield.

Dias was continuing to pose a threat with his pace on either flank and he came close on 38 minutes when breaking free of his marker before firing a stinging shot that flashed past the upright.

On the stroke of half-time it was Dias again who provided a precise pass towards Cohen but his header flew wide.

Hibernians showed their intentions to win this match very early after the break and succeeded in regaining the lead.

Jackson Lima did well to create space for himself before firing a rising shot that was turned to a corner by Zammit.

From the ensuing flag-kick, taken by Lima, the ball flashed across the face of goal with Cohen seeing his effort half-parried by Zammit. From the rebound, Kardeck was on hand to bundle the ball into the net.

Hibs still remained the more dangerous side and on 56 minutes Cohen was close to a third goal but his menacing shot from a free-kick was blocked by the alert Zammit.

At the other end, Woods almost got his second of the match when he leapt high to connect with Bajada’s corner but his headed attempt finished over.

On the hour, the Hibs coach looked to add fresh legs to his team’s forward line when he withdrew Kardeck and roped in Farrugia and the latter almost made an instant impact. In fact, barely 60 seconds later Dias nodded the ball towards Farrugia who fired over from close in.

Sliema responded on 65 minutes when Woods failed to reach Alex Muscat’s ball with only the keeper to beat.

Time was running out fast for the Wanderers as Greco intro-duced Miguel Ciantar in lieu of the tiring Ariel Laudisi.

However, it was Woods who continued to pose the major threat as on 82 minutes the Sliema veteran again found space before releasing Alain Faccini who headed just wide.

At the other end, Hibs protested heavily for a penalty when grounded Sliema defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino seemed to have blocked Dias’s shot with his arm but the referee saw nothing untoward.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, R. Camilleri-6, A. Pulis-6.5, Z. Levnaic-6, B. Kristensen-6.5, A. Cohen-7, J. Lima-7.5 (89 S. Chircop), A. Kardeck-6.5 (59 J.P. Farrugia-6), C. Failla-6.5, J. Bezzina-6.5, M. Dias-7.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-5.5, A. Muscat-6, L. Martinelli-5.5, A. Barbetti-6, M. Scerri-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-5.5, I. Woods-7, A. Laudisi-5.5 (64 M. Ciantar-5), S. Bajada-5.5, S. Faccini-5 (84 J. Mintoff), S. Bianciardi-6.5.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Yellow cards: Kristensen, Kardeck, Barbetti, Martinelli, Bianciardi.

BOV Player of the match: Jackson Lima (Hibernians).

Attendance: 573.